Category Archives: 2014

Celebrating our 70th Summer with our Alumni

The idea of holding a 70th summer alumni reunion was pretty much a no brainer. Its been about 15 years since we last held an alumni reunion on-site at camp and we knew that there were lots of former campers and staff who were really wanting to get back to North Star and reunite with their camp friends. We really began pushing the event in March and with a lot of support from a handful of active alums, we were excited to welcome about 70 NSC alums to North Star this past weekend.
As is always the case, we follow up our summer with a week of post-camp, where about 25-30 families spend time here at camp transitions to more of a resort. This year we ended post camp a bit early so we could hold the reunion. Even before post-camp was over we had a handful of alumni trickle into camp, joining us for our post-camp bowling extravaganza and then coming into camp on Friday morning. Not coincidentally, they started arriving right around 11am, which is when we begin waterskiing for the day. 
Over the course of the day on Friday, we went from a handful of alums to almost our entire crowd. It was truly special seeing the different reactions when people got to camp. For some, it was being at camp after decades of absence that seemed to really strike them. For others, it was seeing friends who they hadn’t seen since their camp days that was truly emotional.
Our Friday evening saw that emotion continue as everyone went to the Council Ring for a Friendship Fire. We had some songs along with a few alums who spoke, including Jim Silberman, who did a tremendous job bringing the spirit of Lou and Renee to the reunion. As the sun was setting, Andy lit the fire for a keylog ceremony. At first, only a few people went down and we figured that it may be an abbreviated keylog ceremony. Almost an hour and a half later, the final keylog was thrown onto the fire. The outpouring of feelings, memories and gratitude at the keylog ceremony was truly special and really bridged the different generations that were at the Council Ring. After Forest Green and Taps, everyone headed to the Lodge for more stories and even a few Tombstone pizzas.
Saturday was a day of action as we had two periods in the morning with open programming. Reunion “campers” got a chance to shoot riflery and archery, go waterskiing and participate in their favorite camp activities. The big attraction was at Lou’s Diamond as half the crowd played in a softball game. As the day went on, our “campers” continued to do their best to recapture their youth as they tried to get up on slalom skis and play speedball. 
We took time in the afternoon to have a marathon. Everyone was put onto either the green or white team and everyone was given a role in the 17-event marathon. The marathon got off to an auspicious start for the white team. Only a few events into the marathon the canoeing tandem of Jon Sherman and Joel Richman were barely off shore when they tipped their canoe. In fairness, the canoe didn’t end up tipping, however both Sherm and Joel ended up in Brewer’s Bay. The white team would catch up and the boil-water-boil would be the deciding event. Ultimately it was youth over beauty as Jimmy Sarnoff and Rob Kallick were able to get their water to boil ahead of Rieber Paulson, Richard Rusnack and Guy Wolff. 
After dinner, everyone headed up to Mike Hall for a talent show/request program. Everyone was treated to Manfred Frank’s “Apples and Bananas”, Tim Schroer’s “Church Lady” and lots of other great songs and skits from years past. Everyone then rose for the “we were here” song, and it was amazing to see that every year from 2014 through 1946 had at least one person standing. After everyone participated in “Carry On” and “North Star Blues”, we again finished the evening (and for many, started the morning) in the lodge, looking at pictures and telling more stories.
There were certainly more than a few sore campers on Sunday morning, and unfortunately, our reunion had to come to a close. Many left after breakfast and by lunch, we had a few final campers standing that needed to stretch their stay at camp as long as possible. 
We’d like to throw in a keylog to everyone who was able to make it to the 70th reunion. The event also served as a fundraiser and allowed us to “remember the scholarship fund” as all money taken in by the event was donated to the Camp for All Kids Foundation. We know that many more wanted to be here and were made a bit jealous as they heard continuous updates from the weekend via text message and email. Its our hope that we are able to make this a regular event and we are looking forward to celebrating with you all in August of 2019 as we recognize North Star’s 75th summer. 

Honoring our Big Ten Guys

Earlier this week we had the opportunity to honor nine guys who have dedicated the last ten summers to North Star. There are few if any milestones at North Star that are looked at the same way that The Big Ten is. These are often years spent as both camper and counselor and to be able to spend that many years at camp is something pretty special.
Planning for the Big Ten began in earnest in early June. We find a small group of staff who will help us oversee the event. It has to be a small group as the Big Ten is supposed to be a secret and while occasionally someone will find out, we want to surprise as many of the Big Ten folks as possible. Our honorees will do their best detective work to figure out the date of the event, looking for days on the calendar that are likely to end with the Big Ten. 
Once the date is set, we invite a large group of guests, from parents to camp friends. This year we were lucky to have over 30 guests make their way to camp for the Big Ten, with visitors coming from as far away as New York. Over the course of the summer, we will do our best to fake out the Big Ten guys. We’ll call them up in front of the camp, send in  guys with banners and costumes, only to unveil a banner declaring it to be a fake. This year the Big Ten coincided perfectly with the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward. We took the entire camp to the first night of LWC at the Lumberjack Bowl and as the event was ending, we were lucky enough to have some of the competitors come out to answer our questions. 
We did some pre-planning, however, and our friends and competitors Abby Hoeschler and Lizzie Horvitz. Both are log rollers and they helped get Big Ten rolling. Towards the end of the Q&A, our Big Ten guys were called down to the front of the main stage at Lumberjack Bowl and Abby announced that it might be, it could be, it was, the Big Ten. After some fanfare, We quickly loaded campers and staff into the buses, headed back to camp, where the guests were waiting to fete the guys. 
Stories were told as the Big Ten guys were presented with a framed pic of North Star, as well as a poster of pics of them over the years. Everyone gets a kick out of seeing these young men from their younger days! 
We thank Jonah Baim, Eli Fried, Holden Greenberg, Chip Kass, Jacob Lehr, Ethan Levy, Lake McCormack, Philip Rasansky, and Danny Verb for ten great years at camp and look forward to ten more!

Staff Spotlight – Simon Dinkin

Hey everyone, I’m Simon Dinkin and I’m returning to North Star for my seventh summer. I’m from from San Diego, CA, I’m finishing up my sophomore year at Torey Pines High School.  I recently went to La Paz, Mexico for Spring Break! We went to the beaches,snorkeled, and went fishing.  It was a blast!! I also started coaching a 2nd and 3rd grade Rec Basketball team.  This is my first year coaching and its been really exciting and fun teaching them new skills and working with the kids. 

As always I’ve been playing lots of soccer as well as focusing on school. I am counting down the days until camp and can not wait too be a CIT! Around camp you’ll find me instructing althetics and dsic golf.
More about Simon
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you’d bring?: 
– A friend, Water ,and a pillow
Favorite special program at camp
– UN Day
Your favorite TV or movie character
– Josh Peck, from Drake and Josh 
Your best memory of camp
– Cheering at camp after completing our 10 day trip to Canada.

Favorite Sports Teams
– Redskins,Wizards,Baltimore Orioles,Capitals
What would you choose for your last meal?
– Steak and Fries
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
– Bald Eagle
 
Your two favorite books
– Lightning Thief,The Giver
A secret hobby or skill that you have?
– I play in Scrabble Tournaments.
How has camp impacted you? 
– Camp has had an extremely positive impact on me.I have made friends and experiences that will last a lifetime, and i look forward to making many more.

Staff Spotlight – Lucas Kasle

The youngest of three siblings, Lucas Kasle will join his middle brother (his favorite brother, mentor and role model) on staff. A graduating senior, Lucas is currently at Nicolet H.S. in Glendale, WI. There he showed off his considerable athletic prowess as a member of the swimming and tennis teams. He’s also a big reading aficionado, preferring historical autobiographies 18th and 19th century political leaders. Lucas will head out east in the fall, attending Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. He’s excited to be a  Muhlenberg Mule!
This will be his 9th summer at North Star. At camp you’ll find him instructing climbing, and swimming!
More about Lucas
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you’d bring?
-My brother Nick, a stuffed toy panda, and a toothbrush (I’m a big believer in good oral hygiene)
Favorite special program at camp
– The eco hunt
The Kasle Brothers
Your favorite TV or movie character
– The princess from Frozen
Your best memory of camp.
– Anything involving my brother, Nick
What would you choose for your last meal?
–  A buffet of ice cream
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
– A seal
Your favorite book
– Campingly Yours by Thomas C. Adler
A secret hobby or skill that you have?
– I’ve recently taken up Mahjong

Staff Spotlight – Ben Rubin

Hi, my name is Ben Rubin and I am currently a Junior at Highland Park High School. With ACTs, college visits, and other standardized tests, this has been a pretty busy year for me. At school, I am involved in Congressional Debate, DECA, and my school’s robotics team. [Side note addition: I placed first Internationally in DECA and first in Illinois in robotics. I don’t know if that should be thrown in there or not.]

This will be my seventh summer at camp and my first one on staff.  As a camper, I spent the majority of my time windsurfing and sailing, which I hope to teach at camp. Additionally, I will be working on the camper musical. I am very excited to be a CIT this summer!

More about Ben

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you’d bring?
– I’d like to think that I would be practical and bring a boat, water, and a machete so I could survive, but in reality I would probably bring trivial items like a phone, a sleeping bag, and a change of clothes.

Favorite special program at camp
– Espionage

Your favorite TV or movie character
– Batman (Christian Bale, not any of the ones from the 80s or Ben Affleck)

Your best memory of camp.
– College Days last year. Go Slippery Rocks!

What would you choose for your last meal?
– Once again, I would like to think that I would choose something classy like steak, but it would

probably be pizza or bacon.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?
– The Mantis Shrimp. Hands down the coolest animal. Ever.

Your two favorite books
– Looking for Alaska by John Green and Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

A secret hobby or skill that you have?
– I am very good at Indian Leg Wrestling.

How has camp impacted you?
– Camp made me a much more independent and responsible person. I feel that I have learned how to handle difficult and challenging situations and I have made several lifelong friends.

Staff Spotlight – Ronald Smith

Hey, I am Ronald Smith, from St Louis, MO. I’m finishing my sophomore year at John Burroughs High School. I love sports and the outdoors more  than anything. My favorite sport is football and at school I’m on the football and basketball team.
 I am a CIT this year and was a camper for three years before this. At camp you’ll find me instructing athletics and archery.
More about Ronald
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you’d bring?
–  I would take a book, sleeping bag, and a basketball court w/ basketball.
Favorite special program at camp
– The Green-White marathon.
Your favorite TV or movie character
–  Steve Urkel from Family Matters.
Favorite Sports Teams
– My favorite sports team is the Miami Heat.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
– My spirit animal is a lion.
Your two favorite books
– My favorite books were To Kill A Mockingbird and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
How has camp impacted you?
– Camp has opened my eyes to many opportunities to explore nature.

Staff Spotlight – Philip Rasansky

Howdy! My name is Philip Rasansky, and I’m from Dallas, TX. This will be my 10th summer at camp (IT’S THE BIG TEN!!), and I am really excited to get back to the Northwoods! just graduated from Greenhill School a couple days ago, and I’ll be heading up to Dartmouth College next fall. I spend most of my time spending time with friends/family, doing school work, and playing sports (I’m on the varsity basketball and baseball teams). I am (or was, now that I’m an alum) also active in my school’s business club and peer mentoring program.

At camp I’ll be instructing basketball, waterskiing and other athletics. 
More about Philip

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you’d bring?
– Umbrella, Lawn chair, and a full Harry Potter book set

Favorite special program at camp
– United Nations Day, Friday Night Services

Your favorite TV or movie character
– Tickle from the Discovery show “Moonshiners”

Your best memory of camp.
– Most memorable: Getting lost on the Canadian trip because the tripper let a friend of mine lead us with the map. Best memory: Beating my twin brother in the Green-White marathon when we were both captains

Favorite Sports Teams
– Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, and anything UT Longhorns

What would you choose for your last meal?
– Tie between steak and pizza

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

– A white bengal tiger

Your two favorite books
– A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah & Any of the Harry Potter books

A secret hobby or skill that you have?
– I can write in cursive backwards.

How has camp impacted you?
– This is a tough questions because I don’t think I can fit it all into a couple sentences. Overall, I think I am a more relaxed, confident person with a stronger sense of my values and morals because of all my years at North Star

Staff Spotlight – Jacob Byck

Jacob Byck returns to the North Star Staff. Hailing from Deerfield, IL, he’s a junior at Deerfield High School. A big baseball fan and player, he’s played travel baseball as well as on the DHS team. He’s also active coaching and he started this year as an assistant baseball coach.
Jacob returns for his sixth summer at camp. He can be found on the athletic fields instructing our sporting activities.
 More about Jacob
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you’d bring?
– North Star’s Cinnamon Rolls, North Star’s Bug Juice, and a sleeping bag.
Favorite special program at camp
– Espionage
Your favorite TV or movie character
– Two and a Half Men, Charlie Sheen
Your best memory of camp.
– Making great friends.
Favorite Sports Teams
– White Sox, Bulls, Bears, Michigan Wolverines
What would you choose for your last meal?
– Chicken Kiev
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
– A Jaguar
Your two favorite books
– Honus & Me, Boy in the Striped Pajamas
A secret hobby or skill that you have?
– I can burp excessively.
How has camp impacted you?
I learned how to be responsible for myself, and made friends I’ll never forget.

Staff Spotlight – Ike Nierman

Camp is a family thing Ike Nierman. One of is brothers is on the NSC staff and another is a camper. He’s also a 2nd generation NSC camper and staff. His dad Peter was also a camper and staff. Ike comes to camp from Wilmette, IL where he’s finishing up his sophomore year at New Trier H.S.
At New Trier Ike does pole vault for the track team and in his free time he plays the bass guitar and hang out with friends. At camp he’ll be instructing athletics and pathfinders.
More about Ike
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you’d bring?
–  My iPod for music, a journal and a camera
Favorite special program at camp
–  College Days
Your favorite TV or movie character
– Jake Peralta from Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Your best memory of camp.
– Too many to count, but on of the best was winning boil-water-boil during the Green-White marathon
Favorite Sports Teams
– Chicago Bulls, LA Clippers, Chicago White-Sox, And DAAA Bears
What would you choose for your last meal?
– Anything as long as it was followed by a Norske Nook Pie
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
– A Dolphin, they’re super smart, but really different from humans, plus everyone loves dolphins
Your two favorite books
– Things Fall Apart, The Catcher In The Rye
A secret hobby or skill that you have?
– I can throw a Frisbee with extreme accuracy
How has camp impacted you?
– It made me learn how to treat others with a lot of respect and never to judge anyone without getting to know them first. Also made me learn that life can be tough but it will always get better, especially with 

Staff Spotlight – Nick Rubnitz

After three years as a camper at North Star, we’re excited to have Nicholas (aka Nick) Rubnitz join the North Star staff. Hailing from Chicago, IL, Nick is finishing up his sophomore year at Francis W. Parker High School. There he is on the varsity baseball team, playing center field.
He joins a great group of Counselors in Training. At camp you’ll find Nick instructing softball and other athletics.
More about Nick
Favorite special program at camp
– All Camp Capture the Flag
Your best memory of camp
– Coming back from Canada
Favorite Sports Teams:
 – All Chicago Sports teams besides the White Sox
What would you choose for your last meal:
– Tacos
If you could be any animal, what would you be
– a Lion
Your two favorite books
– Harry Potter 7 + Heat
A secret hobby or skill that you have
– a Monster at Wii Tennis
How has camp impacted you
– It has taught me maturity and responsibility.